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Guitar World Staff

Why the PRS SE McCarty 594 is a “vintage and versatile” modern marvel

PRS McCarty Riario

PRS recently introduced several striking fresh SE models to its line, and possibly none more impressive than the new SE McCarty 594.

The original McCarty, of course, was highly influenced by guitar great David Grissom and designed to infuse vintage specs into a reliable, modern guitar. And, as Guitar World Tech Editor Paul Riario points out, “You can see this reflected in the 594’s vintage and versatile design that delivers both humbucking and single coil tones, thanks to dual volume and push-pull tone controls.”

The 594 is spectacular in many ways, beginning with its 24.594 scale length (hence the instrument’s name) and mahogany neck boasting PRS’ ultra-comfortable Pattern Vintage neck profile, along with a rosewood fretboard, 22 medium jumbo frets and a 10-inch fretboard radius with PRS trademark bird inlays.

Electronics-wise, the SE McCarty 594 is loaded with a set of 58/15 LT “S” pickups, “designed to PRS’ specifications to deliver a warm, vintage tone with enhanced sweetness and clarity,” Paul says. Each pickup has its own volume and push/pull (coil-tapping) tone control for incredible tonal versatility, and a three-way toggle pickup switch on the upper bout completes the package.

(Image credit: PRS)

As for construction, the all-solid guitar boasts a maple top with a shallow violin carve, an eye-catching flame maple veneer and a mahogany back. There’s also a PRS two-piece bridge, vintage-style tuners and three finish options – Black Gold Burst, Faded Blue, and Vintage Sunburst.

“PRS has poised the SE McCarty 594 as a high-quality workhouse instrument, and undoubtedly this guitar is that and so much more,” Paul says. “Elegant in its appearance and appointments while also being versatile in its electronics and playability, the guitar also upscales with PRS-designed pickups that elevate the tone to a whole other level. 

“All in all, PRS has once again delivered an affordable guitar in their SE series with vintage timeless and a touch of modern style.”

For more information on the SE McCarty 594, head to PRS.

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